Since 2021, the armed conflict between Ukraine and Russia has put the region in the global spotlight. Rather than being just a regional war, the conflict raises a number of complex political, economic, historical and social issues at both regional and international levels. As part of a credit-bearing study tour by the School of Journalism and Communication, based within the Chinese University of Hong Kong, together with Czech NGO Transitions represented by Sarka Truxova, a group of students under the guidance of organiser senior lecturer Vivian Tam, lecturer Eric Tsang and teaching assistant Crystal Li travelled to Central and Eastern Europe. Both the Czech Republic's and Poland's experience of providing assistance to Ukrainian refugees and the media's portrayal of the conflict in Ukraine were used as a starting point to explore a variety of issues. The history of the Second World War, the legacy of the Cold War and the problem of migration and refugees in Europe, the role of international organisations and treaties in today's international politics, and the development of media communication in Central and Eastern Europe, among others, were analysed. Students were given a broad overview and understanding of the global context in which contemporary international conflicts arise. The war is particularly relevant for Central and Eastern European countries, as the Czech Republic alone has taken in 400,000 Ukrainian refugees and Poland millions of Ukrainian refugees, one of the highest numbers in Europe.

As part of the visit, a meeting between students and teaching staff from the School of Journalism and Communication of CUHK and students and staff from Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow took place in Krakow on 19 December 2023 to discuss the portrayal of the war in Ukraine in the Polish media, as well as media image of Poland in the foreign media. The meeting was organised thanks to the cooperation of Vivian Tam, Sarka Truxova, Anna Aleksandrowicz (Manager of Pilgrim's House of Sanctuary of St John Paul II the Great), Aleksandra Mirek-Rogowska (Student Exchange Coordinator in the International Cooperation Office) and dr hab. Klaudia Cymanow-Sosin, (President of the UPJPII Alumni and Friends Association).

The programme of the event included a lecture, discussion and workshop part, constituting a journey to Central and Eastern Europe, aimed at understanding the way the current conflict is portrayed in the Polish media, Poland's role in helping both refugees from Ukraine and Ukrainians fighting at the front, as well as migration and the problem of refugees in Europe. The lecture, together with a discussion, was prepared by Aleksandra Mirek-Rogowska together with students of the Image Communication Scientific Circle - Izabela Pudzisz, Karolina Suder, Paulina Paluch, Mikołaj Nawalany. The workshop part was chaired by Dr Piotr Drąg (UPJP2) and second-year undergraduate students who actively participated in the event as part of the class 'Migration - history, present, challenges'. The workshop part of the event allowed students from UPJPII and the CUHK to have an in-depth discussion on the causes of migration and to exchange cross-cultural experiences.

The meeting provided an opportunity to explore various aspects of the ongoing armed conflict between Ukraine and Russia. It also aimed to broaden perspectives on this global issue, combining knowledge from the fields of media, politics, history and social studies. Moreover, for both students and academics, it was a valuable platform for sharing knowledge and experiences, fostering an understanding of the global context of contemporary migration and international conflict.